Posted on 09/21/2013 5:55:29 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
Two groups of astronomers have used data from ESO telescopes to make the best three-dimensional map yet of the central parts of the Milky Way. They have found that the inner regions take on a peanut-like, or X-shaped, appearance from some angles. This odd shape was mapped by using public data from ESO’s VISTA survey telescope along with measurements of the motions of hundreds of very faint stars in the central bulge.
One of the most important and massive parts of the galaxy is the galactic bulge. This huge central cloud of about 10,000 million stars spans thousands of light-years, but its structure and origin were not well understood.
Unfortunately, from our vantage point from within the galactic disc, the view of this central region — at about 27 000 light-years’ distance — is heavily obscured by dense clouds of gas and dust. Astronomers can only obtain a good view of the bulge by observing longer wavelength light, such as infrared radiation, which can penetrate the dust clouds.
Earlier observations from the 2MASS infrared sky survey had already hinted that the bulge had a mysterious X-shaped structure. Now, two groups of scientists have used new observations from several of ESO’s telescopes to get a much clearer view of the bulge’s structure.
(Excerpt) Read more at scientificcomputing.com ...
Thanks null and void!
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Another factoir supporting Darwin's theory of evolution.
If it has peanuts, we’ll have to rename the Milky Way to Snickers.
How?
NASA must have sent Carter into orbit.
Winning post of the day!
I just know President Peanut (Jimmy Carter) was behind this.
That!!
I hope nobody’s allergic.
Mr. Peanut on stage wanting us to respect the nuts?
That is really funny
The massive black hole at the galactic center is not itself when it’s hungry ....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmTbfLO4k04
Found A Peanut. Cracked it open. It was rotten. Ate it anyway.
Tormenting bus drivers since 1937. (The song, not me.)
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